title: An accidental suffocation by a rubber balloon.
abstract: This report presents an autopsy case of a 10-year-old child, who was accidentally suffocated by a rubber balloon that adhered tightly to the epiglottis, occluding air entry. Suffocation by rubber balloon is not uncommon, but the mechanism in this case was unique. The post-mortem findings are given and the conclusion is drawn that such death could have been avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Transkei, Umtata, South Africa.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Meel
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D004825:Epiglottis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D010988:Play and Playthings